Real Sociedad 0-4 Man Utd: 5 talking points as creepy Red Devils take big first leg lead

Bruno Fernandes’ brace ensures Manchester United have practically secured their place in the next round of the Europa League.

The Red Devils beat Real Sociedad 4-0 in Turin ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford next week.

Travel restrictions meant the contest couldn’t be played in Spain, but United have fond memories of their victory in the Italian city and they kept going.

Fernandes’ goal may have shed some light on what was otherwise an unforgettable first half.

Marcus Rashford fended off a first chance after Fernandes sidelined him.

The Portuguese star subsequently grabbed the first goal, taking advantage of defensive indecision to slip into an empty net.

An offside flag looked set to deny him a strike in the second half, but long VAR control was to his advantage and his smart finish just before the hour dawned.

Rashford then atoned for his earlier failure and Daniel James caught a fourth at the end of qualifying for the Red Devils.

Here are five talking points of a comfortable United victory.

Needs of the Europa League

United’s victory is a declaration of intent – and necessary for it.

Three semi-finals in the last session and no trophies for nearly four years means the pressure is on the rise.

Solskjaer needs to at least bring his team to a final after coming close four times when you factor in the Carabao Cup semi-finals this season.

While Manchester City seem unstoppable domestically, the Europa League could offer United their best chances for success, although the FA Cup is still an option.

They have certainly sidelined a Sociedad side that held a high position in La Liga for much of the season.

We all know in a single game United can be devastating and if they can replicate that clinical demonstration they will be hard to break.

Stop device congestion

Solskjaer has claimed he wouldn’t have had any problems if Thursday night’s clash was a one-off and you must be wondering why it wasn’t.

Government restrictions on travel have forced UEFA to find alternative venues for several matches.

The Spanish and German teams were unable to host the European matches.

But in a season where matches are packed like never before and with an international tournament coming up this summer, why hasn’t common sense prevailed?

Solskjaer said last week: “It’s out of our control, it’s nothing that we can say ‘OK, we’ll just meet in Turin and play a game.’ I wouldn’t mind at all, a match less.

Instead, United have had to play a midweek and weekend game in the past five weeks.

No Silva liner

Former Manchester men David Silva and Adnan Januzaj were unable to secure one on United.

Silva ended his ten-year association with Manchester City this summer and has seen great success on the Red Devils.

But he couldn’t weave his magic in Italy as United contained him for long periods of time.

Januzaj was the man with a point to prove, although he claimed he hadn’t done so earlier this week.

Having burst onto the scene at Old Trafford, he didn’t have regular opportunities under Louis van Gaal and had to move on.

He was unable to make United regret their decision, however.

United End Spanish Hoodoo

United had not won their last nine games against the Spanish opposition since defeating Celta Vigo in the Europa League four years ago.

Sevilla, Real Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona have all got the better of them since that day.

Some of those losses were a sign of the divide between the elite of the United States and Europe, but others were among the darkest of recent days.

Sevilla’s victory at Old Trafford in the Champions League during Jose Mourinho’s tenure was a real low point.

But Sociedad have been unable to maintain La Liga dominance in Turin.

United were able to stifle their possession-based game and hit them regularly at the break to put them in control ahead of the second leg.

A gripping debate

It looks like we will not stop debating whether Rashford is more effective as a center forward or from a wider position.

Robbie Savage on BT Sport’s comment claimed that the United striker is much more of a threat coming from the wing.

The position allows him to look across the line and time his runs in a way he can’t in the middle.

Finishing ability continues to be held against Rashford and missing a chance in the first half only underscores that.

His pace allows him to wreak havoc from the wing, as was the case with his strike in the second half.

But as Solskjaer remains without a central leader he can trust to score 25 times per season, Rashford will be asked to do a job down the middle, potentially to his detriment.